What is an ELL

student?
ELL = English Language
Learner (student)
ESL = English as a Second
Language (program)

Teaching
ELL
Students

Terms to Know
BICS = Basic Interpersonal
Communication Skills
Social Language
Interactions take place
outside of the classroom
Relies heavily on
nonlinguistic cues and
context
CALP = Cognitive Academic

What You Need

to Know

Language Proficiency
Classroom language
Required for abstract,
analytical thinking

Students can speak

proficiently

Affective Filter
The affective filter is an
invisible psychological filter that
can either facilitate or hinder
language production in a second
language

Affective filters can be

raised/lowered by:
Environment
Interactions with peers and
teachers
Personal factors
(insecurity, anxiety, etc.)

Teachers of ELL students should

try to keep a low affective filter
in their classroom. This will

encourage students to take risks

with language production. A
comfortable environment will
make students less concerned
with making errors.

Stages of Language
Development

Stage 1: Pre-Production

Silent period: ELL students

may have up to 500 words in

their receptive vocabulary but
they are not yet speaking
Establishing basic vocabulary
May model/mimic

Stage 2: Early Production

Simple vocabulary
Reliant on 1st language
Stage 3: Speech Emergence
Ask simple questions
May not be grammatically
correct
Stage 4: Intermediate Fluency
Begin to use more complex
sentences
Will ask clarifying questions
Able to do grade level math and
science work
Increasing comprehension of
literature and history
Stage 5: Advanced Fluency
Near-native ability
May confuse homophones

Introduce vocabulary in
meaningful ways (videos,
field trips, etc.)
Use graphic organizers
Write key words on the
board
Use applicable body
language

Tips for Teaching

ELL Students

Use visuals
Label objects
Incorporate words/phrases
from native language
Speak slowly
Partner with other ELL
student

Testing
Modifications

Extended time

Multiple Testing Sessions

English/Native dictionary
Testing in separate room
Student reads aloud
Teacher reads test aloud to
student